Live Action Theater Fills The Empty Space

Fresh Theatre fills The Empty Space

What would happen if gullible ol’ Charlie Brown had to grow up and deal with peer pressure, puberty and worse yet; high school? What happens will unravel on the local stage when “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead,” premiers Friday, April 19 at The Empty Space, located at 706 Oak St. in Bakersfield.
California State University student Miguel Torres is one of the actors currently in rehearsals for next week’s show. Torres, 26, said the dramatic play will have broad appeal.
“For any generation that grew up with Peanuts, you become comfortable with the innocent world these characters come from. Here the Peanuts change and the story is about how they deal with that change,” Torres said. “And change is difficult.”
“Dog Sees God,” is one many shows that take on the small stage at The Empty Space, a donation-based theatre that was founded in 1993. Here local actors can be seen and heard in a diverse selection of plays that range from Shakespeare to the Vagina Monologues.
Middle school teacher Danny Recendez, 35, filled one of the seats at the Empty Space recently to experience the musical “Spring Awakening.” Recendez said his first visit to the small venue was an awakening in itself.
“I didn’t expect it to be as racy and as funny as it was,” Recendez said. “Every actor was an impressive singer and dancer too. I really had a good time.”
If you don’t want to wait until next Friday to see live action theatre, you can head down to The Empty Space tonight, Friday the 12th for another play about life, love and family. “Crimes of the Heart,” written by Ben Healy and directed

Image from esonline.com

by Bob Kempf, is a tale about what happens when three sisters with very different lifestyles reunite.
Meanwhile performances of “Dog Sees God,” written by Bert V. Royal and directed by Michael Pawloski, are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights from April 19 thru the 27th.
Show starts at 11 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 28. As with all performances at The Empty Space, there is no admission charge but donations are recommended to help cover building maintenance and utility costs. Find out about this season’s performances or reserve tickets at www.esonline.org or by calling (661) 327-7529.